IIT Palakkad organised a Press meet today to mark the third anniversary of the National Education Policy  2020 which falls on July 29, 2023. The Institute elaborated on its remarkable progress and dynamic initiatives in implementing NEP 2020. “In a significantly short period, IIT Palakkad has taken several steps like the introduction of Choice Based Curriculum, new B. Tech program in Data Science, the launch of the Centre of Renewable Energy , etc.” conveyed Prof. A Seshadri Sekhar, Director IIT Palakkad. Dr. Anand TNC, Dean Academics along with Prof. Santhakumar Mohan, Dean ICSR also addressed the media at the Press Club, Palakkad.
The new Choice-Based-Credit-System ensures well-rounded education by integrating courses in the basic sciences, mathematics, engineering, humanities and social sciences, in appropriate proportions. The revised curriculum provides students a more flexible and comprehensive academic experience as envisaged in the NEP 2020. Multiple degree options such as double major, BTech-MTech dual degree, BTech with minors, BTech with Honours and BTech with Honours  are now available. The Institute is also actively developing multiple exit options for BTech students.
As outlined in the NEP and in response to the surge in demand for cutting-edge expertise, IIT Palakkad has taken the lead by establishing a dedicated Department of Data Science that offers BTech and MTech programs in Data Science besides M.S. by Research and Ph.D. programs. The Post-graduate program in Data Science is a unique program that admits students from different undergraduate backgrounds, nurtures the needed skill sets in Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analysis and Machine Learning, and prepares them for rewarding careers in the industry.
The NEP 2020 had suggested setting up an Academic Bank of Credits  to digitally store credits earned by students. In line with this, the Institute has made significant efforts to create awareness, popularize and encourage students to create their ABC accounts. More than 90% students of the institute have currently created their ABC IDs.
The Institute prioritizes research in areas such as Smart Agriculture, Water Resources, Ecology, Biomedical Sciences and Green Energy and has dedicated Centres of Renewable Energy  and Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Engineering . To facilitate skill development in adults, a slew of upskilling initiatives have been enabled targeting school/college dropouts and retired personnel. Some of these initiatives were developed jointly with the Additional Skill Acquisition Programme , Govt. of Kerala.
IIT Palakkad engages in community outreach through programmes like Math Circle and Science Quest and organises several Public Lectures to inculcate scientific temperament in the community. A notable endeavour is providing skill development training to youth residing in tribal hamlets of Attapadi. In the first phase of this initiative, a group of 20 students were provided hands-on vocational training in Computer & Networking and Mechanical modules.
Other key measures taken by IIT Palakkad in implementing NEP include:
1. Maintaining strong ties with industry, offering joint courses and organizing annual Industry-Academia Conclave to make students industry-ready
2. Emphasis on technology integration and offering courses like Building Information Modeling for Construction Management.
3. Offering project based courses to students wherein mentor and students jointly develop ideas/concepts and products.
4. Setting up the Institution’s Innovation Council  to foster innovation and entrepreneurial activities including National Innovation and Startup Policy .
5. Establishing the Student Affairs Council. It is an integral part of the Institute's growth and development process.
6. Supporting financially disadvantaged students, facilitating various scholarships and disbursing financial assistance through the signature 'Earn As You Learn' programme.
7. Ensuring a significant presence of female students, faculty, and staff on campus and mandating representation of female members in administrative committees.
8. Promoting awareness and sensitivity towards gender-identity matters, thereby adhering to the guidelines of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment  policy.
All these steps also contribute towards IIT Palakkad’s motto of “Nurturing Minds for a Better World”.